21 Jump Street
21 Jump Street | |
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Series title card. |
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Format | Crime Drama |
Created by | Stephen J. Cannell |
Starring | Johnny Depp Peter DeLuise Holly Robinson Dustin Nguyen Steven Williams et al. |
Country of origin | United States |
No. of episodes | 103 |
Production | |
Running time | 44 minutes per episode |
Broadcast | |
Original channel | FOX, Syndicated |
Original run | April 12, 1987 – April 27, 1991 |
External links | |
IMDb profile |
21 Jump Street (originally titled "Jump Street Chapel") was an hour long police drama television series, developed by Fox Television Network. It ran from April 12, 1987 to April 27, 1991, with a total of 103 episodes.
It was produced by the studio of Stephen J. Cannell Productions (which also produced The A-Team and The Rockford Files). The show was an early hit for the fledgling Fox Network, especially in the important teen demographic. Some speculate that it was Johnny Depp's exit that caused the program to be cancelled by Fox after the fourth season though Peter DeLuise in his DVD commentary said that Barry Diller of Fox Network saw that The Simpsons were getting a twenty share rating and said that Fox was now a twenty share rating network so 21 Jump Street was dropped. The final season aired in first-run syndication on local Fox affiliates. It was later completed in rerun syndication on Fox's FX cable network from 1996 to 1998 and was produced in association with and distributed by Twentieth Century Fox Television.
The series provided a spark to Johnny Depp's nascent career in acting, garnering him national recognition as a teen idol. Depp found this status an irritant, but he was under contract from which he was released after the fourth season.
Actors who guest-starred on the program include Bridget Fonda, Sherilyn Fenn, Jason Priestley, Josh Brolin, Maia Brewton, Mindy Cohn, David Paymer, Brad Pitt, Christina Applegate, Eric West, Vince Vaughn, Pauly Shore, Blair Underwood, John Waters, Shannen Doherty, Rosie Perez, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tim Russ, and Thomas Haden Church.
Contents |
Plot
The show is about a group of young cops whose youthful appearances enabled them to work undercover in both high schools and sometimes colleges to catch troubled youths. The show covered typical plots of its day, including hate crimes, drug abuse, racism, homophobia, AIDS, drinking, and sexual promiscuity. Similarly, each problem was often solved by the end of the hour long show, giving an implicit moral about the impact of a particular activity. When the show originally aired, some episodes were followed immediately by public service announcements featuring cast members.
Cast
The show starred prominent actors and actresses at the time, including:
- Johnny Depp as Officer Tom Hanson, Jr. (1987-1990)
- Holly Robinson as Det. Judy Hoffs
- Dustin Nguyen as Officer Harry Ioki (1987-1990)
- Peter DeLuise as Officer Doug Penhall (1987-1990)
- Frederic Forrest as Captain Richard Jenko (1987)
- Steven Williams as Captain Adam Fuller (1987-1991)
- Richard Grieco as Officer Dennis Booker (1988-1989)
- Michael DeLuise as Officer Joey Penhall (1990-1991)
- as Sal "Blowfish" Banducci (1987-1990)
- as Officer Anthony "Mac" McCann (1990-1991)
- Jeff Yagher as Officer Thomas Hanson, Sr. (pilot episode only)
Episode guide
Season 1
- "21 Jump Street (part 1)" (also known as "Jump Street Chapel part 1") (Apr. 12, 1987)
- "21 Jump Street (part 2)" (also known as "Jump Street Chapel part 2") (Apr. 12, 1987)
- "America, What a Town" (Apr. 19, 1987)
- "Don't Pet the Teacher" (Apr. 26, 1987)
- "My Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades" (May. 3, 1987)
- "The Worst Night of Your Life" (May. 10, 1987)
- "Gotta Finish the Riff" (May. 17, 1987)
- "Bad Influence" (May. 24, 1987)
- "Blindsided" (May. 31, 1987)
- "Next Generation" (June. 7, 1987)
- "Low and Away" (also known as "Running on Ice") (June. 14, 1987)
- "16 Blown to 35" (June. 21, 1987)
- "Mean Streets and Pastel Houses" (June. 28, 1987)
Jeff Yagher was originally cast as Officer Tom Hanson in the Pilot. He was replaced after the original pilot episode was filmed, and his scenes were reshot with Johnny Depp.
Season 2
- "In the Custody of a Clown" (Sept. 20, 1987)
- "Besieged (1)" (Sept. 27, 1987)
- "Besieged (2)" (Oct. 4, 1987)
- "Two For the Road" (Oct. 11, 1987)
- "After School Special" (Oct. 18, 1987)
- "Higher Education" (Oct. 25, 1987)
- "Don't Stretch the Rainbow" (Nov. 1, 1987)
- "Honor Bound" (Nov. 8, 1987)
- "You Ought to Be in Prison" (Nov. 15, 1987)
- "How Much is That Body in the Window?" (Nov. 22, 1987)
- "Christmas in Saigon" (Dec. 20, 1987)
- "Fear and Loathing with Russell Buckins" (also known as "Doin' The Quarter Mile In A Lifetime") (Dec. 27, 1987)
- "A Big Disease With a Little Name" (Feb. 7, 1988)
- "Chapel of Love" (Feb. 14, 1988)
- "I'm OK- You Need Work" (Feb. 21, 1988)
- "Orpheus 3.3" (also known as "The Convenience Killer") (Feb. 28, 1988)
- "Champagne High" (Mar. 6, 1988)
- "Brother Hanson & the Miracle of Renner's Pond" (Mar. 13, 1988)
- "Raising Marijuana" (Apr. 17, 1988)
- "Best Years Of Your Life" (May 1, 1988)
- "Cory and Dean Got Married" (May 8, 1988)
- "School's Out" (May 22, 1988)
Season 3
- "Fun With Animals" (Nov. 6, 1988)
- "Slippin' Into Darkness" (Nov. 13, 1988)
- "The Currency We Trade In" (Nov. 20, 1988)
- "Coach of the Year" (Nov. 27, 1988)
- "Whose Choice is it Anyways?" (Dec. 11, 1988)
- "Hell Week" (Dec. 18, 1988)
- "The Dragon and the Angel" (Jan. 15, 1989)
- "Blu Flu" (Jan. 29, 1989)
- "Swallowed Alive" (Feb. 5, 1989)
- "What About Love?" (Feb. 12, 1989)
- "Woolly Bullies" (Feb. 19, 1989)
- "The Dreaded Return of Russell Buckins" (Feb. 26, 1989)
- "A.W.O.L." (Mar. 19, 1989)
- "Nemesis" (Mar. 26, 1989)
- "Fathers and Sons" (Apr. 9, 1989)
- "High High" (Apr. 23, 1989)
- "Blinded by the Thousand Points of Light" (Apr. 30, 1989)
- "Next Victim" (May 7, 1989)
- "Loc'd Out (part 1)" (also known as "Partners (part 1)") (May 14, 1989)
- "Loc'd Out (part 2)" (also known as "Partners (part 2)") (May 21, 1989)
Richard Greico joins the cast during this season as Officer Dennis Booker. While he is in nearly every episode this season, he is always credited as a guest star. Originally, his character was going to be killed off at the end of the season, but he proved so popular, the character was given a spin-off.
Season 4
- "Draw the Line" (Sep. 18, 1989)
- "Say It Ain't So, Pete" (Sep. 25, 1989)
- "Eternal Flame" (Oct. 2, 1989)
- "Come from the Shadows" (Oct. 9, 1989)
- "God is a Bullet" (Oct. 16, 1989)
- "Old Haunts in a New Age" (Oct. 30, 1989)
- "Out of Control" (Nov. 6, 1989)
- "Stand by Your Man" (Nov. 13, 1989)
- "Mike's P.O.V." (Nov. 20, 1989)
- "Wheels and Deals Part Two" (Nov. 27, 1989) (Part One aired as part of the spin-off series Booker)
- "Parental Guidance Suggested" (Dec. 4, 1989)
- "Things We Said Today" (Dec. 18, 1989)
- "Research and Destroy" (Jan. 8, 1990)
- "A Change of Heart" (Jan. 15, 1990)
- "Back from the Future" (Jan. 29, 1990) A clip show framed by interviews of the retired cops
- "2245" (Feb. 5, 1990)
- "Hi Mom" (Feb. 12, 1990)
- "Awomp-Bomp-Aloobomb, Aloop Bamboom" (Feb. 19, 1990)
- "La Bizca" (Feb. 26, 1990)
- "Last Chance High" (Mar. 19, 1990)
- "Unfinished Business" (Apr. 9, 1990)
- "Shirts and Skins (also known as "A New Breeze Blowing") (Apr. 30, 1990)
- "How I Saved the Senator" (May 7, 1990)
- "Rounding Third" (May 14, 1990)
- "Everyday is Christmas" (May 21, 1990)
- "Blackout" (also known as "Business as Usual") (Jun 18, 1990)
Season 4 was the last season to air on the Fox Network. In commentary on the Season 5 DVD set, Peter Deluise said that Fox had decided to cancel the show after Season 4 because the ratings had fallen below a set limit. Following this season, Johnny Depp and Dustin Nguyen left the show. It was never explained where Officers Hanson or Ioki went, or why they were no longer with the Jump Street Unit. The Booker spin-off crossover episode, "Deals and Wheels Part One", is included with 21 Jump Street's syndication package, and is also included on the 4th Season DVD set.
Officer Dean Garrett (David Barry Gray) makes his first appearance in "Everyday is Christmas." As it became harder for the original cast members to plausibly pass as high school students, his character and Officer Kati Rocky (Alexandra Powers) were intended to be "youthful" replacements, so the show could maintain its original premise of younger looking cops posing as high school students, while still allowing the older cast a meaningful role on the show.
Season 5
- "Tunnel of Love" (Oct 13, 1990)
- "Back to School" (Oct. 20, 1990)
- "Buddy System" (Oct. 27, 1990)
- "Poison" (Nov. 3, 1990)
- "Just Say No! High" (Nov. 10, 1990)
- "Brothers" (Nov. 17, 1990)
- "This Ain't No Summer Camp" (Nov. 24, 1990)
- "The Girl Next Door" (Dec. 1, 1990)
- "Diplomas for Sale" (Dec. 8, 1990)
- "Number One with a Bullet" (Dec. 22, 1990)
- "Equal Protection" (Jan. 5, 1991)
- "The Education of Terry Carver" (Jan. 14, 1991)
- "Baby Blues" (Jan. 21, 1991)
- "Film at Eleven" (Feb. 9, 1991)
- "In the Name of Love" (Feb. 16, 1991)
- "Cop Love" (also known as "Coppin' Out") (Feb. 23, 1991)
- "Under The Influence" (Mar. 23, 1991)
- "Crossfire" (Mar. 30, 1991)
- "Wasted" (Apr. 6, 1991)
- "Bad Day at Eagle Rock" (also known as "Bad Day at Blackburn") (Apr. 13, 1991)
- "Homegirls" (Apr. 20, 1991)
- "Second Chances" (Apr. 27, 1991)
During this season, Michael Bendetti joined the cast as Officer Anthony "Mac" McCann. Michael DeLuise also joined the cast as Joey Penhall, Doug Penhall's younger brother. Peter DeLuise was credited as a Special Guest Star until he left the show in December 1990.
Both Doug and Joey Penhall were written off the show before the season was completed. Peter DeLuise said during his commentary on the Season 5 DVD Set that he saw no future for the show, so he decided to leave before it folded with the agreement that he direct two episodes and play in (at least) seven episodes. In the show, Doug Penhall is shot in the line of duty, and after facing his own mortality, decides to leave the force to care for his adopted son, Clavo. As Joey Penhall joined the Jump Street Unit to get closer to his brother, his reason for being at Jump Street no longer existed. His character was written out a few episodes later as moving away to be near his brother.
Officer Kati Rocky (Alexandra Powers) is introduced in the first episode of the season, "Tunnel of Love." This episode, along with "Back to School" mark the last appearances of Officer Rocky and Officer Garrett, despite the plotlines suggesting that both characters are going to join the main cast. These episodes were both filmed during the Fourth Season and held over. Neither actor was asked back for the Fifth Season, and their characters are not mentioned again after their initial appearances.
DVD Releases
IDT's Anchor Bay Entertainment has released all 5 seasons of the TV series on DVD in Region 1. The criticism on the DVD releases has been the substitution of soundtrack music from that used on the original episodes, as that the music originally used was often notably linked to the themes of each episode.
Further, the Fourth and Fifth Season set DVD covers have been said to be misleading.[citation needed] Richard Greico appears prominently on the cover of the Fourth Season DVD set, yet his only appearance during that season was as part of a 21 Jump Street/Booker cross-over episode.
The issue with the Fifth Season DVD release is that the Fourth Season episode "Blackout," which was Johnny Depp's last episode, was placed on the Fifth Season DVD set. This fact, along with Johnny Depp's prominent appearance on the cover of the Fifth Season DVD set, has been labeled by some fans as misleading[citation needed] because it gives the impression that Johnny Depp took part in the Fifth Season of the show, when in fact, he did not.
DVD Name | Ep # | Release Date |
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21 Jump Street: The Complete First Season | 13 | Oct 26, 2004 |
21 Jump Street: The Complete Second Season | 22 | March 8, 2005 |
21 Jump Street: The Complete Third Season | 20 | September 6, 2005 |
21 Jump Street: The Complete Fourth Season | 25 | November 1, 2005 |
21 Jump Street: The Complete Fifth Season | 23 | March 21, 2006 |
Trivia
- A spin-off called Booker was produced for the character of Dennis Booker (Richard Grieco), but it ran only one season from September 1989 to June 1990.
- The show's filming location, Vancouver, is given away in the series' opening. A shot of a city bus with destination "Hastings" is shown briefly, as well as a SkyTrain with a British Columbia Transit(BCTransit) logo barely visible on the side. This was featured in the opening in Seasons 1-3. There also has been a scene filmed inside the main office of local Vancouver high school, David Thompson Secondary School.
- New Westminster Secondary School was one of the main locations of the series.[1]
- The show is referenced numerous times in A Night at the Roxbury. The film features Richard Grieco playing himself.
- Captain Jenko, played by Frederic Forrest, left the show after the fifth episode of the first season. Peter DeLuise cited creative differences between Forrest and the show's writers as the primary reason he was killed off in the show's seventh episode.
- In his commentary on the DVD release of Season 5, Episode 10: "Number One with a Bullet" which he directed, Peter Deluise said that his younger brother David is in the show at the start, donning the bullet proof vest. The inside courtroom set used in the episode was originally built for the Jodie Foster film, The Accused.
- As part of his DVD commentary, Peter DeLuise said that he expected to be in big demand like Johnny Depp and that his movie career would take off after he left 21 Jump Street. However, this did not happen and he found himself out of work much of the time with some directing jobs in low budget movies before finally getting a job directing Stargate SG-1. On reflection, Peter said he wished that he had stayed with the show until the end, rather than leaving midway through Season 5.
- On the show, Jenko is killed in a freak drunk driving accident. However, because he often ad-libbed his lines, the writers considered having him shot in the throat and leaving him to die a slow painful death where he would be unable to speak for an entire episode.
- The character of Officer H.T. "Harry" Ioki was revealed in the episode "Christmas in Saigon" to actually be named Vinh Van Tran, and to be a Vietnamese refugee, not from Japan as he had been claiming. There is a hearing about whether or not he will be suspended for fraud, and the hearing determines that he is allowed to stay on the force.
- In the episode: "Best Years of Your Life" which deals with suicide in young people, Doug Penhall reveals that his alcoholic mother killed herself when he was six and that he had tried to kill himself when he was eight.
- It is explained in the show that Hanson's classic Mustang belonged to his father, who was killed in the line of duty as a police officer. However, after Hanson leaves, Mac is now seen driving the same car without any explanation as to why.
- In the later seasons, Doug Penhall adopted a boy named Clavo who was supposed to be from El Salvador. However, Clavo was played by a native American and had to be coached in a Spanish accent since he was supposed to have come from El Salvador (the show supposedly filmed in El Salvador was actually filmed in Miami).
- The theme tune was sung by Holly Robinson. She had a minor singing career before starring in the show and Cannell graciously let her try a number of different theme songs, before picking the one that was eventually used. Johnny Depp and Peter DeLuise also chimed in with the word "Jump" in the song.
- There is a song on the multi-platinum Murder Was The Case soundtrack called "21 Jumpstreet". It is performed by Snoop Dogg and Tray Deee.
- A film adaptation of "21 Jump Street" has been in the works for several years, and at one point Jennifer Love Hewitt was attached to the project.
- It was formerly aired on GMA-7 in the Philippines.
- In later opening sequences, Peter DeLuise's character() is shown standing in front of an oversized driver's license which says "Beautiful Evergreen State"; even the license plates on all vehicles say this, even though they are identical to currently-issued British Columbia plates.
- "Beautiful Evergreen State" is the fictional slogan for the state that the police station/chapel is in, even though Washington State's official tourism slogan is simply "The Evergreen State".
References
External links
- 21 Jump Street at the Internet Movie Database
- Unofficial 21 Jump Street web site
- 21 Jump Street Page
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Television | 21 Jump Street · Booker · The 100 Lives of Black Jack Savage · The Commish · The X-Files · Space: Above and Beyond · Millennium · The Others · Bionic Woman |
Final Destination | Final Destination · Final Destination 2 · Final Destination 3 |
Other films | The Boys Next Door · The One · Willard · Black Christmas |